Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures Save Water and Energy: Here’s How

Saving water and energy is a smart and responsible decision for your budget and the environment. Low-flow plumbing fixtures provide an effective solution to lower water consumption without sacrificing performance. Find out about the benefits of water-saving fixtures, how they differ from previous models and useful suggestions to conserve even more water in your daily routine.

How Much Water Will Low-Flow Fixtures Use?

Installing low-flow plumbing fixtures began picking up traction around the 1990s. The shift was primarily driven by increased awareness of water conservation concerns and our environmental footprint. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 set maximum flow rates for faucets, showerheads and toilets across the United States, encouraging the public adoption of a new generation of low-flow plumbing fixtures. This early framework helped establish more efficient fixture designs focused on reducing water consumption while preserving performance.

Consider how much water low-flow fixtures need compared to their traditional counterparts:

• Faucets: Older faucets flow at about 2.2 gallons per minute (gpm), whereas low-flow faucets cut this down to 1.5 gpm or less without compromising water pressure.
• Showerheads: The industry standard for showerheads was 2.5 gpm. Low-flow designs for showerheads lower water consumption to 2.0 gpm or less.
• Toilets: Older, inefficient toilets typically use up to a maximum of 7 gallons per flush (gpf). On the other hand, the current federal standard maximum is 1.6 gpf, with some dual-flush models needing as few as 1.28 gpf.

The Designs of Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures

Low-flow fixtures take advantage of several design options to retain performance while using less water. Here’s how they can do so:

• Aerators: Many low-flow faucets and showerheads utilize aerators, which mix air with water to retain pressure while still reducing the volume of water required.

• Flow restrictors: These devices control the amount of water that moves through the fixture while preventing a significant drop in pressure.

• Dual-flush technology: More low-flow designs have two flush buttons—one for liquid waste using less water, and one that’s larger for solid waste. This optimizes water use based on need.

Key Benefits of Eco-Friendly Plumbing Fixtures

Switching to low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets provides benefits in a number of ways:

1. Decreased water waste: The EPA’s Water Sense program has estimated that you can save 700 gallons of water per year by swapping the existing faucets in your home with new, low-flow fixtures.
2. Smaller water bills: Low-flow fixtures help decrease your monthly utility bills by using less water. As a matter of fact, a WaterSense-labeled showerhead can save 4 gallons of water every time you shower, which adds up across its service life.
3. Also helps with water heating costs: Using less water for daily chores also means you use less hot water, which further increases your savings by helping cut hot water costs.
4. A longer plumbing system life span: Reduced water flow also reduces wear and tear on your plumbing system, hopefully lengthening its life and reducing the need for repairs.

Tips for Saving Even More Water

While low-flow fixtures are highly effective by themselves, you can go further to conserve water every time you use them. Here are a few of the most common:

• Take brief showers: Even if you own low-flow showerheads, you still waste a lot of water when you shower for too long. Speeding up your shower time by a minute or two saves water and limits energy use.
• Shut off the water whenever you brush your teeth: Do your best to only leave the tap on if you’re actively using it. Once you step away from the sink or take the time to actually brush your teeth, turn off the faucet to conserve water.
• Use dual-flush toilets properly: The dual-flush design only works for you if everyone using that bathroom knows the right way to use it it. Start with the half-flush button for liquid waste and only use the full flush for solid waste. Some handle-flush toilets feature dual-flush designs. A quick flush uses less water, while pressing and holding the handle empties the entire tank to clear solid waste more thoroughly.
• Don’t flush trash: Toilets are exclusively designed to remove toilet paper and human waste. Flushing anything else always wastes water and increases the risk of clogs. Do your water bills a favor by always disposing of facial tissues, paper towels, cotton balls and similar products in the garbage.
• Fix leaks right away: Even low-flow fixtures could eventually leak, wasting more water and hamstringing efficiency. Make an effort to regularly check for leaks and fix any you find to sustain your water conservation efforts.

Request a Free Quote for Low-Flow Plumbing Installation Today

Are you ready to cut your water usage and save more money at the same time? Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is here to help! We install quality low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets to support water and energy conservation. With our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can depend on us to deliver the quality products and services you need. If you’re ready to install low-flow plumbing fixtures or just need a few more water conservation tips, please contact us today.